Part 1
Present
Councillor R J Hocknell- Chairman
Councillor D Bennett,
Councillor M Cohen,
Councillor M Hodge
Councillor R Hurst,
Councillor J Swithenbank
Councillor A Kolker – Cheshire East Representative left early
Ms J Mason – Clerk
Declaration of Interest
Cllr M Hodge – Sibelco and Cllr D Bennett – Smart Motorway
Public Forum
6 members of the public present.
A resident wished to complain about the speed of traffic along Oak Tree Lane and his concerns about the access gates to the M6. The gates were high off the ground and it would be easy for a dog to get underneath and make their way to the motorway. There were 3 gates in total.
A resident wished to comment on the recent Strategic Planning Committee hearing at Cheshire West to determine the Sibelco application. The time slot was not allocated as the public were led to believe accurate. He wished to thank the Parish Council,especially Cllr M Cohen for all their hard work on the resident’s behalf.
A member from Goostrey Parish Council offered their support on the possible next hearing to revisit the ‘Sibelco’ application at Cheshire East but were very happy if CPC wished to speak and raise their objections.
Apologies
Cllr G Morgan due to a work commitment.
01/19 Minutes
Cllr R Hurst proposed some spelling errors which were accepted.
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November 2018 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.
02/19 Unregistered Land behind Deans Cottages
The Chairman had spoken to Cllr G Morgan and she had updated him the issue was not resolved but she was due to follow up this week.
03/19 Cheshire East
Resolved to suspend the Standing Orders to accept a report from the Ward Councillor A Kolker.
Cllr AK reported on the proposed improvements at the traffic lights in the centre of Holmes Chapel. There had been a £1/2m allocation of S106 monies from the Bloor/ Gladman home development to carry out the works.
He reported the concerns that both the primary schools and the secondary school in Holmes Chapel were at capacity. People moving into the area were unable to send their children to a local school. There were places in Brereton, Peover and Goostrey primary schools. He felt this was very disappointing and something that should have been addressed with the prior housing planning approvals.
He had met with the education authority to confirm the calculation of the increase in school places was initially inaccurate.
Cllr MH asked Cllr AK to report the bin drop off after collection at Big Stone as it was impeding vison from Goostrey Lane.
04/19 Highways
Speed Display Unit on Northwich Road
Cheshire East would not allow a device on a road which was 50mph. It was accepted that CE was not going to change this road to 40 mph as it did not fit the speed management strategy.
The police could position a mobile unit on the road at the Parish Councils request.
Leese crossroads
Due to the number of accidents and the lack of road markings Cllr A Kolker was requested to arrange a site visit.
Hard Standing outside Cranage Hall Hotel for school bus stop
Mr R Welch CE highways had yet to respond.
Blocked gullies on Armistead Way 337227
The gullies had been emptied but the broken one was still outstanding.
RAG update
The team had managed to secure the Environmental Law Foundation to carry out some ‘pro bona’ work. Although Sproston Parish Council had requested support they had not responded to the Chairman’s emails after making contact.
Smart Motorway signage at Junction 18
The village of Holmes Chapel had been omitted from the sign on the M6 . After challenging Highways England their response was as follows ‘ Holmes Chapel is not a destination authorised by the Department for Transport to be included on motorway signs. This information is contained in: The Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 2 and Local Transport Note 1/94.
Although Holmes Chapel and other destinations may have previously been signed the DfT have decreed these are not to be included in the new signage installed in line with the M6 J16 to J19 smart motorways upgrade.
Business Signage in the Parish
Resolved the Clerk would contact the offenders who had left signs on the highways.
Cllr RH would pass on the details.
New signage and road markings on Goostrey Lane and Middlewich Road
These had been implemented on the 10/11th January and were a great improvement. The PC hoped this would refrain from any further accidents.
Cranage Trading Park
Goostrey Parish Council had asked for support with the new farm auctions that were being held within the above site. They were receiving complaints in relation to traffic entering and exiting the site and parking on the verges.
There had been no consultation with CPC.
Resolved the Clerk would contact the auctioneers.
Pot holes on Hermitage Lane
Cllr RJH asked the Clerk to report.
05/19 Adult Fitness Area
Resolved the Parish Council would appoint ROSPA Play Safety from Swindon.
06/19 Footpath and Tree Report
.
Congleton Ramblers
The ramblers had walked the footpaths 4th December and filed a copy of their report.
There had been an issue with the football pitch drainage over the seasonal period, but James Ashbrook Ltd had revisited site and rectified the issue.
Holly Hedges along A50
CE Highways had written the letters but still no actions had been taken. Deferred.
Footpath Claim – Carver Avenue/Byley Lane /Crescent Ave
The application for a public right of way had been refused on 3rd December 2018. The Parish Council had the right to appeal the decision. The letter of dismissal had been submitted on the 2nd January 2019 and there was a 28-day period to appeal.
Quotes had been circulated to carry out the works by a PROW consultant. It was acknowledged that these costs would increase if it was to go to a public inquiry.
Resolved the Parish Council would appeal the decision and Cllr R Hurst would submit the paperwork.
Resolved the Parish Council would join the Open Spaces Society at a cost of £45.00 for an annual membership.
07/19 GDPR
There had been a meeting with Cllr R Hurst, the Clerk, SPC and NBACM PC to approve the retention policy on 3rd December. The advised schedule from JD Henry was reviewed.
The Clerk was completing housekeeping and would issue the outstanding security policy at the next meeting.
08/19 Planning Applications
- 18/6228C The Spinney, New Platt Lane, Cranage CW4 8HS – to erect a 3.5m acoustic fence onto the existing 2m fence alongside Northwich Road and onto the south – eastern side accompanies site plan.
Resolved No Objection with comments.
- 18/6111C ‘Ashlands’, Oak Tree Lane, Cranage CW10 9LU – proposed erection of single storey rear extension.
Resolved No Objection
- 18/6069C 36 Needham Drive, Cranage CW4 8FB- Ground floor rear extension to dwelling.
Resolved No Objection
- 18/5924C ‘Oaklands’, Sandy Lane, Cranage CW4 8HR – the renovation and remodel of a detached dwelling including a carport.
Resolved No Objection
17/3605W Sibelco application in Cheshire West on 08.01.19
Cllr M Cohen had spoken on behalf of Allostock Parish Council against this application. It was noted his time allocation had been cut short and this was being investigated. The application had been approved by Cheshire West.
When approved by Cheshire East planning authority, they had not referred to the Environmental Agency report. This would have to be reconsidered. There was a possibility this would have to go to committee again.
FP McCann, Byley Lane – objections noted
Manchester Airport s106 – Cllr G Morgan had taken this task, but it was unsure if she completed the works.
Glebe Farm – Cllr J Swithenbank reported this was not a listed building. The Clerk had responded to the individual.
09/19 Accounts
It was noted the balance of account = Leek United £30,488.46 + Natwest £33,513.56 = £64,002.02.
Payments
- Cheque number 254 – £1,188.55 HMRC
- Cheque number 255 – £4,367.38 Ms J Mason
- Cheque number 256 – £49.74 Mrs J Mason (expenses)
- Online Payment – £45.00 Open Spaces
- Online Payment – £75.00 Mr B Edwards (work completed at Bowling Club)
Receipts
- £953.02 HW & SB PC
- £1,476.18 NACM PC
- £50.00 Mr S Walton
- £95.00 Beachcroft Claims
Resolved the above payments are approved and signed for as a true and accurate record.
10/19 Chairman and Members Report
Memorial bench – The position of the bench had been finalised. The PC agreed to site and insure the bench.
Town and Parish Conference 29th January 2019
Resolved the Chairman would attend
11/19 Clerks Report
Elections 2019
The Clerk was due to attend a SLCC meeting on 25.01.19 where this was an item on the agenda. It was noted this need to be advertised in March.
Salvation Army
They had requested to site a clothes bank within the Parish. As the PC owned no land and there were facilities in the village available the offer would be declined.
Training 2019
It was noted that there was a new Code of Conduct being launched in 2019.
Annual Parish Meeting 2019
The Clerk reminded members that a speaker would need to be considered by the next meeting.
Public Forum
There were comments on the traffic that was being generated from FP McCann. There was a suggestion of a speaker from Highways England to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting
PART 2
Resolved; “That in accordance with the public bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 as extended by the Local Goverment Act 1972 section 100 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for discussion of the under mentioned item on the grounds that the publication of the matter would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted”
12/19 Clerks development Review
Cllr R Hurst reported on the review which was carried out on 25th October 2018 with all four Parish Councils
13/19 the next meeting would be on the 26th February 2019 @ Cranage Hall Hotel.
Meeting closed at 8.50pm